The Huntsville Pirates hurler struck out 10, walked two batters and surrendered just one hit in guiding his Moberly Midget League club to a 4-1 victory.

Dale also helped his cause by providing a RBI single and he scored two runs for the Pirates (11-1).

With four games left on its schedule and sitting on top of the league standings as the July 23 playoffs approaches, the Pirates plated 2 runs in the bottom of the third and matched that total in the fifth for good measure.

Austin Sears led off the Huntsville third reaching base safely on a dropped third strike and would steal two bases. Dale walked, and a wild pitch advanced both runners with Sears scoring on the play.

Spencer Untiedt executed a bunt single that scored Dale for a 2-0 lead.

Sturgeon (4-9) answered in the top of the fourth when Dakota Beckfield drew a walk, swept second and went to third on a fielder’s choice grounder. Dalton April’s grounder to the shortstop allowed Beckfield to score Sturgeon’s only run of the game.

Huntsville scored its other pair of runs in the fifth when Sears singled and would score on a single by Dale. With one out and Dale reaching third, Matt Edwards ripped a grounder that was mishandled by the second baseman, allowing Dale to score.

Losing pitcher for Sturgeon was Eli Briscoe. He threw the first 4 innings, and Clayton Smith came in relief for the last 2 innings.